The FTSE 100 Index has risen for a second session in a row after a rally of more than 1% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Wednesday night.
Wall Street traders broke for the Thanksgiving holiday on a positive note as economic data offset continued concerns over the eurozone debt crisis.
Signs that tensions had cooled for the time-being on the Korean peninsula also encouraged Asian markets as the FTSE 100 Index lifted 18.2 points to 5675.1.
In London, traders were focused on the FTSE 250 Index after results from Dixons Retail and Daily Mail & General Trust.
The newspaper group reported strong annual results but shares fell back 15p to 549.5p as accounting changes hit forecasts and analysts noted the company’s continued cautious assessment of trading prospects.
Dixons fell 0.6p to 550p as chief executive John Browett delivered solid first half results but highlighted the competitive and tough conditions in store for the PC World and Currys chain over the Christmas trading period.
Fashion retailer Alexon bucked the downward trend as it revealed a pick-up in sales over the past three weeks following a difficult autumn trading period. Shares rallied 0.75p to 14p.
